Nearly fifty Gobles community members took part in the first Gobles Read-Along this summer, purchasing and reading Outcasts United by Warren St. John, then participating in discussions at the school and even donating books to the school library.

Community read-along events take place every year in communities all over the country, though normally in communities much larger than Gobles such as San Diego, Boston, or Kalamazoo. Teachers in the English Department at Gobles MS/HS felt our own community would support such a program, and invited community to participate in what they hope will become an annual event.

Event organizer Corey Harbaugh explained the event sends an important message about the values of the Gobles community. "We know smart communities are communities that value education," Harbaugh said. "And reading and discussing books is one of the most important activities a community can do to both expand learning, but also to celebrate literacy and the learning that takes place when people read and talk together."

Harbaugh said he was thrilled the first event had so many participants, and hopes even more will join in during summers to come.

"I think we started a good thing here," he said. "And it will be exciting to see it grow in years to come. (High school English teacher) Pam Westcott is already thinking about the book selection for next summer. That's a sure sign of success."

Tremendous support for the project came from the Gobles and Kendall United Methodist Church communities, led by Pastor Nelson Hall, who learned of the event when it was announced at the Gobles MS/HS literacy program last May. Hall rallied to get his congregation involved. Thirty-six of the participants in the project came from the UMC congregations.

"As soon as I heard about this project I knew I wanted the church to get involved," Hall said. "Projects like this bring the community together and get us talking about important topics for our community."

Outcasts United tells the true story of a small Georgia town transformed by the arrival of refugees from around the world, and the work of a soccer coach to unite boys from many countries into a soccer team that would change lives. The book explores such important topical issues as immigration, the experiences of refugees all over the world and in our own country, racial and cultural exchanges, the power of mentors for young people, the role of sports in our society, and impact of globalization on local communities, among others.

Donated copies of the book will now be available for teachers at Gobles MS/HS to use in middle and high school classes for years to come.

Van Buren County Sheriff Deputy Cody Anderson and Sweet Cravings Ice Cream are excited to bring a popular, fun event to Gobles kids during Labor Day Weekend that will bring local businesses together with police and fire services, Journey Family Church, and Gobles Public Schools, all in the name of bicycle safety.

The August 30 bicycle rodeo will include a bike obstacle course and "drag racing" strip for kids to test their skills, compete, and win prizes; plus participants will learn about bike safety, and have their bikes checked by a mechanic to help students keep their bikes tuned up and ready for local roads and trails.

Deputy Anderson says the emphasis will be on creating a fun community event, but that kids will learn some of the essentials of bicycle safety. "I am excited to see kids and community members get involved in this event for kids with our local community organizations," he said. "It's important that the community comes together like this from time to time, to meet and interact, and keeping kids safe and healthy is one of the most important things we can do."

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Gobles High School Parking Lot. Journey Family Church will provide hot dogs and juice box to participants.

Gobles Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) recently earned a five star rating from Great Start to Quality. Standards set by Great Start to Quality are used to rate child care and preschool programs to ensure that Michigan’s youngest children have high-quality early learning experiences. The standards set by Great Start to Quality go above and beyond the Michigan’s registration procedures or licensing requirements.

Programs are rated in five key areas: staff qualifications and professional development, family and community partnerships, administration and management, environment, curriculum and instruction. A program receiving a five star rating demonstrates the highest quality.